In defence of the maul
It takes a lot to irritate Simon Middleton. England’s Red Roses coach has cultivated an affable persona, one that might be described in a biopic’s script as “a quintessentially hard working northern lad”. It’s not a ruse. He is a genuine grafter who has devoted his life to the betterment of women’s rugby in the country for eight years since he joined the sevens programme. Any journalist who has interviewed him will tell you what a decent human he is.
And yet, Middleton was triggered by criticisms levelled at his side after their 41-5 win over Australia in their World Cup quarterfinal match on Sunday. It wasn’t exactly a red mist, more like cerise or coral, but there was no doubt the usually serene man was now annoyed.
“Does it frustrate me? Probably a little. It baffles me a little bit.”
The source of Middleton’s confusion were the accusations that England’s dominance was built upon a foundation that was boring to witness. That their driving maul from the base of a perfectly drilled line-out was somehow turning people off the sport even though it was racking up points on the scoreboard.
“It takes all sorts,” Middleton added, incredulous that he’d have to defend a strategy that has taken his team to the brink of World Cup glory while securing a string of 29 wins in a row.
“Rugby doesn’t have to be play, play, play and shift, shift, shift. That’s southern hemisphere rugby – fantastic. We’re a northern hemisphere side. We’re very good at what we do, they’re very good at what they do. You play to your strengths and I don’t really recognise the criticism.”
I’m with Middleton. The disapproval is unfounded. World Cups are there to be won. Nothing else matters at the apex of the game. And if England have built an unstoppable weapon why wouldn’t they bring it out at every opportunity? As the Roses captain Sarah Hunter said, “Ultimately, no one’s going to look back and go, ‘Oh, how did England score?’”
But that only half explains why the naysayers and fist shakers are off the mark. Not only is the maul an effective tool in registering tries and milking penalties, it’s also a thing of beauty. Hear me out.
I genuinely enjoy the sight of several large people clustered into a tight formation pushing another group of large people backwards. In my mind that is rugby union. It pokes at the primal part of my brain. Something deep within my subconscious, a hangover from an ancient time that predates iPhones and Tik-Tok and the printing press is stirred by a mass of humanity marching in step across the gain-line.
What’s more, the maul, more than most plays found on the field, is a craft that has to be honed on by practice. An effective maul is proof of a cohesive team working as one. This requires precise coaching. It requires hours of dedication and attention to detail. It requires professionalism. This is why England’s Red Roses do it better than their competitors. No other women’s programme spends as much money on their players. The maul is a by-product of this investment.
The same is true in the men’s game. Rassie Erasmus has been praised to the point of deification in South Africa after he took control of a misfiring Springboks outfit and turned them into world champions in 18 months. His selection of Siya Kolisi as captain was an inspired decision and he has married the team’s social responsibility with their performances on the field. But it is his coaching acumen that has earned him his adoration.
In the Chasing the Sun documentary, which chronicles the Springboks’ journey from chumps to champs, we witness Erasmus’s genius at work. Two moves stand out. One, an impenetrable construction from a line-out inside their own half shunts the Japanese pack backwards by 50m before Malcom Marx splinters and offloads to Faf de Klerk who scores. The second is a midfield maul simply dubbed, “The Move”, which wins a penalty against England at a crucial stage in the final.
Can anyone really look at those two plays and argue that they are the consequence of nothing more than brute strength? Can anyone who identifies as a fan of the sport seriously not acknowledge the immense skill and effort required to pull these off?
I’ve seen some wild ideas on how to “improve” rugby as a spectacle. One popular Twitter account proposed penalties kicked out of touch in the opposition 22 should then result in a change of possession. Another suggested we scrap the maul altogether, compelling scrum-halves to shift the ball towards their backs as soon as it comes down from the line-out.
Here’s another idea. Why don’t we put an end to line-outs entirely? While we’re at it, let’s scrap the breakdown contest and take away the contest at the scrum. If only there was another code that reduced rugby to a game of running and passing without all that other nonsense.
Much of the tension around mauls focuses on the seemingly inevitable outcome. But Australia’s maul defence against Scotland last weekend showed that teams still have to work for their tries and penalties and that organised resistance can halt their advance. It’s not just a case of gathering the heavies and lumping them forward. Grace and poise must match the heft and heave.
If the Springboks beat Ireland this weekend they’ll no doubt register points on the back of their maul. Either through tries scored in the corner or through penalties kicked after forcing an infringement, this brutal implementation will be at the heart of much of South Africa’s success.
Comments on RugbyPass
The side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
4 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
4 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
4 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
4 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
6 Go to comments